Hasegawa's power not enough in semifinals

The Wesley Chapel star falls to the state's sixth-ranked player.

By DAVID MURPHY
Published April 28, 2006

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS - Yumi Hasegawa's power game was very much in existence Thursday afternoon.

For much of her individual singles semifinal at Sanlando Park, opponent Monica Arguello seemed to serve as a punching bag for the Wesley Chapel star.

Hasegawa kept delivering the blows. Arguello kept taking them.

And taking them. And taking them.

"That's how she plays," Hasegawa said later. "Whoever plays her has to be really consistent and patient. I kind of lost my patience."

Hasegawa entered the match never having beaten Arguello, the sixth-ranked player in the state. And by the time it was over, that hadn't changed. The Wesley Chapel star made the match entertaining, but couldn't overcome Arguello's maddening consistency.

She said this year's tournament was a learning experience, that she wasn't expecting the level of competition she faced.

For most elite players, the high school season is a step down from the tournaments in which they compete, where every player is at or above their level.

"I didn't think it was going to be this tough," she said. "It was like a tournament."

Next year, though, Hasegawa said she will train harder in preparation for the championship and approach it in a more serious manner.

"Next year," she said, "I'll be ready."

[Last modified April 28, 2006, 02:22:00]